Infant&#39;s surgical tray with quick release restraining means



Feb. 23, 1960 E. RODIN 2,926,054

INFANTS SURGICAL TRAY WITH quxcx RELEASE RESTRAINING MEANS Filed Sept.26, 1956 United sews Patent once Patented Feb. 23, 1960 INFANTS SURGICALTRAY WITH QUICK RELEASE RESTRAINING MEANS Eugene Rodin, Hempstead, N.Y.

Application September 26, 1956, Serial No. 612,121

3 Claims. (Cl. 311'5') This invention relates to restraining devices andmore particularly to apparatus for restraining the movement of livebodies. While the invention is applicable to restraining animals andhumans of any size, 'it is par ticularly useful to hold and restraininfants, especially during rnany hospital and medical office procedures.

Immobilization of infants during many medical procedures presents anextremely difficult problem. This can be illustrated by considering theimportance of holding the infant still during transfusions,circumcisions and X-rays. r

In the past a number of makeshift apparatus has been used to attempt tosolve this problem, all inadequately.

Among these are diapers, safety pins, straps and boards. But these areoften unwieldy, require lengthy preparation and continual attendance andare frequently dangerous. Similar problems occur in restraining adultsand in treating animals.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide improved apparatusfor restraining humans and animals.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide improvedapparatus for restraining infants during hospital and medical ofliceprocedures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a re straining devicewhich is convenient and quick in operation, completely safe, and whichreduces personnel requirements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatusfor immobilizing infants during such medical procedures as transfusions,circumcisions and X-rays.

Briefly, these objects are accomplished in accordance with the inventionby a restraining device comprising a base having a nest shaped toreceive a live body such as an infant, a cover for the base having anarched portion to engage the body, and means for connecting the cover tothe base in variable relation to vary the pressure of the cover againstthe body disposed in the nest.

A feature of the invention is a relatively large window opening in thecover to expose the crotch of the body disposed in the nest.

Another feature of the invention is nest pockets in the base designed toreceive the legs of the body and ar- 4 ranged in divergent relation toeach other, and arched portions in the cover to engage the legs of thebody disposed in the nest pockets.

A further feature of the invention are removable linings molded to havea mating fit with the base and with the cover, and which may bedisposable.

An advantage of'the invention is that the device may be made of amaterial which can be completely sterilized so that the device is safefor repeated use.

Another advantage of the invention is that X-rays penetrate the devicewithout distortion.

Another advantage of the invention is that the device is compact so thatit may readily fit in an incubator.

Other advantages of the invention are relatively low cost of manufacturesince amenable to mass production techniques, ruggedness, ease ofoperation, readily warmed by hot bottles beneath the base, and theprovision of a handy platform for instruments and other equipment.

With the above and other objects, features and advantages in view thisinvention comprises certain constructions, combinations andarrangements, disclosed by the drawings hereof and described by thespecification thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the base, showing a portion of thedisposable lining thereof broken away.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the complete unit, show ing the cover inplace.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a modified construction, showing aquick release coupling for the cover.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of another modified form, showing amultiple threaded screw carried by the cover.

Fig. 6 is a similar view, showing a quick released spring pressed latchand toothed rod for connecting the cover.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the adjustable coupling shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional view thereof.

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical sectional view of the coupling shown in Fig.4-.

Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of the cover, showing its quick releaseslot for the coupling screw. Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of amultiple threaded screw, as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig.'12 is a detail vertical sectional view of a toothed latch rod and aspring pressed and quick released latch pawl thereof.

Fig. 13 is a detail enlarged sectional view of a disposable lining,comprising a film of plastic material and a backing of moldable paperbonded thereto.

The invention will be described primarily in terms of an infantrestraining device. However, it should be noted that other embodimentsof the invention are equally applicable to restraining youths, adultsand animals. Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 3, and 7and 8, inclusive, 10 designates a base formed of sheet material,preferably plastic, and shaped to provide a main horizontal wall 11, andan external vertical wall 12, on each of the four sides thereof, forminga leg supporting structure for the surgical unit, and shown to beintegral with the horizontal wall 11.

The horizontal wall 11 is molded to provide a nest 13 for the body ofthe infant patient, and this. nest includes the socket 14 for the head,the socket 15 for the torso or body and the sockets 16 and 17 for thelegs.

The head socket 14 is in normal communication with the body socket 15,and the leg sockets 16 and 17 combe constructed of plastic materials,sheet or otherwise,

and may be formed of metal, wood, composition, molded paper or any othermaterial, and if formed of metal may I be provided with a coating ofvitreous enamel, to permit of frequent sterilization. 4 r

The cover 22 comprises a body of molded plastic or other acceptablematerial, and is constructed with a cross bar 23 on its inner end, and across bar 24 on its lower or outer end, and with an.elongated bodyopening 25, which forms an observation and operating window, and whichextends outwardly below the crotch ofthe-infant patient laid in-thenest.

The inner or upper crossbar 23 is arched or curved upwardly to match theapproximately convex curvature of the chest of the infant disposed onthe bottom sect-ion; and the lower or outer cross bar 24 is formed orprovided with an upward arch 24a to engage one-leg of the infant andwithanother upward arch 24b toengage the other leg of the infant. Thecover is also formed' with a horizontal edge flange 26, on one sideand-another similar flange 27 on the otherside, and'the marginal edge ofthe window opening 25 is formed with an upstanding flanged guard 25a, onone end and with another similar, up standing guard flange 25b on theother end;

The cover is disposed on the base or over it, so that the archedportions 24a and 24b will. be in confronting relation to the leg socketsof the base, and the legs will be restrained in these sockets by thearched portions 24a and 24b, against significant movement. The body ofthe infant disposed on the base is restrained by the upper or innercross bar 23, so that the infant cannot rise to interfere with thesurgical operation being performed or about to be performed. Thispermits the surgeon to start and complete the desired operation withoutbeing. dis: turbed by the actions of the infant or delayed by any actionthe infant can make.

Thesurgical unit is designed to permit of accurate and rapidcircumcision and similar operations. The entire crotch area of theinfant is exposed to, observation and surgical manipulation, and theentire skill and attention of the surgeon and his assistants may besafely concentrated on delicate work being done, so as to terminate theperiod ofrestrain of the infant. The body of the infant comfortablyrests in the nest formed by the base, under conditions similar to thatprovided: by a crib,

with the exception that the infant is restrainedtagainst leg movementwhile the legs are spread apart, and. against rising in the enclosure.

The infant is enclosed and held against extreme body movements, withoutsubjecting it to painful or annoying pressures, and at no time is theinfant subject to any pressure which would alarm it and cause it torebelagainst the operation. The body nest formed in the base and in the coverpermits of a relatively loose disposition of the cover on the base. andthe spacing thus permitted for the infant, the cover is connected to thebase on one side by a coupling device 30, and on the opposite side by acoupling device 3 1.

As shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 9, this coupling device includes a metal orother socket 32, provided with an integral attaching base 33 forsecuring it in place to. the base wall 10a. The socket receives thevertical rod 34, which is attached by its head part 34a to the cover 22,and this rod may be formed with a longitudinal. groove to receive thetapered inner end of the screw 35, threaded into the socket 32 at rightangles to the rod 34. This screw is provided with a large head 34a forturning the same. By loosening the screws of both coupling devices thecover may be lifted, by a single upward movement from the base and theinfant completely freed of all restrain and then removed from the base.nest.

In Figs. 6, 1 1 and 12 I show another modified form of the couplingdevice. A screw 37 is pivoted at 37c to the base 38, attached to thebase 10, and this screw is equipped with a nut 40 threaded thereon, andis adapted to engage the slot 39 formed in the cover22 and extendingthrough the outer edge of the cover, as shown inFig. 12, and the sidesof this slot may be, reinforced in, any manner. By relieving the nut thescrews. on both .sides:

To control the level of the cover 4 of the base will swing outwardly soas to allow the cover to be lifted without interference.

In Figs. 5 and 10 I show another form of the coupling device, whichincludes the nut 42, attached under the top wall 10a of the base. Thisnut is designed to have threaded engagement with the vertical screw 41,which has a sliding fit in the sleeve 43 attached to the cover 22, asshown in Fig. 5. A pin 45:: passes through the sleeve 43 and engages akeyway in the vertical screw 41, and the outer: endtof this keyway islocated inwardly of the end of the screw, so that the pin has a limitedtravel in this keyway, and the screw 41 has a limited vertical slidingmotion in thesleeve 43. The upper end of the screw is equipped with aknob or handle 44 for manually turning the screw.

The screw has a fast-turning movement in the nut 42m and a sliding fitin the cover sleeve 43, so that the cover will not shift vertically whenthe screw is being unthreaded. When the screw has been released by a fewfast turns from the nut 42 the cover, carrying the two couplings, maybe'lifted to remove the infant.

In Figs. 7 and 13 I' show another form of the coupling. The verticalratchet tooth rack bar 46 is attached to the cover 22, and slides freelyin a downward movement through the top wallofthe base. A pawl 47,mounted on the fiat spring 48, attached to the base 10, engages theteeth of the rack bar. 46. This spring pressed pawl is manuallywithdrawn from the ratchet tooth rack by means. of thecam 49, which ispivoted on the stub shaft 49a, attached to the spring pawl 47. By movingthe cam againstthe outer face of the base 10:the spring pawl will bedisengaged from the teeth of the rack, and. cover may then be liftedfrom the body of the infant.

The detachable and disposable lining 100 may be formed of plastic filmmaterial of any type, including those providedwith an oily or greaselike surface, or any non-adhesive surface, and may be bonded to paper orany form of backing, which can be molded by pressure operations withheat.

The disposable lining. of inexpensive material, which is extremelypliable and which may be molded to have a close mating fit with the baseor cover, may be faced with an oil or other substance adapted to preventadhesion to the body of the infant.

While a restraining device for restraining an infant has been describedin detail, other embodiments of the invention are useful in. restrainingyouths and adults, and in restraining animals for veterinarianprocedures.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, improved restraining apparatushas been provided which is convenient and quick in operation, completelysafe, capable of repeated use, readily sterilizable, compact, capable ofinexpensive manufacture, rugged, readily warmed, provides a platform forinstruments, and which is relatively simple to use and reduces personnelrequirements. Further, the invention is eminently useful to restraininfants for such medical procedures as circumcisions, transfusions andX-rays.

The present invention is a continuation in part of my pendingapplication for patent in the United States filed May 10, 1956, Serial584,068, new Patent No. 2,867,483, granted. January 6, 1959. I havefiled a patent in Canada on July 4, 1956, for the invention shown in myabove patent application, and have filed in Canada, Great Britain,France, Germany, Italy and Japan applications for the inventiondisclosed by the present patent application, the dates of filing to belater supplied.

I claim as patentable:

1. A restraining device for restraining a live body comprising a basehaving a concavity to receive at least portions of the live body, acover for the base having an arched portion to engage portions of saidlive body, and means for coupling the marginal portions of said coveron, opposite sides thereof to opposed marginal portionstof, said; base,for adjustipg the po'sition of said cover 5 relative to said base, saidcoupling means comprising means slidably and rotatably mounted onmarginal portions of said cover for movement towards and away from saidbase, and means on said base for engaging said first mentioned meansupon rotation thereof.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises a nut onsaid base and a screw slidably and rotatably mounted on said cover forquick threaded engagement and disengagement with said nut.

3. A device as in claim 2 and further including a sleeve on said coverfor slidably and rotatably mounting said screw and means on said sleeveengageable with said screw for limiting the slidable movement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSThrogmorton Apr. 16, Cass Nov. 13, Pribil Feb. 1, Peters Sept. 23,Butler May 19, Powell Jan. 25, Kane Jan. 10, Black May 1, Creelman June19,

